Immersion tank only half fills after moving it

[stevesey]

Moved the immersion tank (eco 7 electric only) today - about 3 foot sidewards and turned the loft tank 90 degrees to make plumbing it back in easier.

On completion let the loft tank fill slowly and checked for leaks - all good - so started tiding up while monitoring. After a while I notice the loft tank level was going up - so assume the immersion had filled and tried the hot taps - nothing. After a bit of fiddling around I loosened the outlet at the top of the immersion tank (slowly) to check if there was water there - nothing, turned the feed valve off and undid the outlet all the way - no water. Peered into immersion with a torch - only half full - opened feed valve - nothing flowing. Scratched head a bit.

Drained the immersion tank again, disconnected, moved it sidewards and put the feed pipe in a bucket and turned the feed valve on - lovely healthy flow. Reassambled and packed in for the night.

The only thing I can think of is that for some reason the feed pipe only has enough head to fill the tank up to 18ins.

Suggestions please!

Going to re-try filling it tomorrow to see if running a bucket of water though the feed pipe did anything to help.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Check inlet into the tank is clear, otherwise cant see any reason why it would fill half way. You have reconnected the vent pipe I presume?

 

[stevesey]

Check inlet into the tank is clear, otherwise cant see any reason why it would fill half way. You have reconnected the vent pipe I presume?

Forgot to say - poked my finger in the inlet and nothing obstructing there.

Yes vent re-connected (used most of the same pipework) - trapped air in the tank did cross my mind, but nothing happened when I undid the outlet (can't get much more venting than that).

 

[stevesey]

Oops - double post

 

[Burnerman]

If the cylinder won't fill with the outlet disconnected, then there has to be a problem with the feed supply.....maybe a blockage or an airlock?
When the loft tank is filling, make sure that its outlet pipe doesn't become exposed so it can gulp air in.
If the copper cylinder is nearly at the same level as the loft tank, then filling could be a little slow - but it will get there.
John

 

[HERTS P&D]

Stick your hose pipe on the drain cock and refill.

Andy

 

[stevesey]

If the cylinder won't fill with the outlet disconnected, then there has to be a problem with the feed supply.....maybe a blockage or an airlock?
When the loft tank is filling, make sure that its outlet pipe doesn't become exposed so it can gulp air in.
If the copper cylinder is nearly at the same level as the loft tank, then filling could be a little slow - but it will get there.
John

Well both tanks were empty when I started filling so the loft tank outlet will have been uncovered - so plenty of opportunity to gulp air. That said the pipe run is a short horizontal then a vertical drop to the immersion inlet - not much opportunity for air locks, but you never know. Loft tank is full now, so will see what happens when I refill tomorrow.

Cheers

 

[stevesey]

If the cylinder won't fill with the outlet disconnected, then there has to be a problem with the feed supply.....maybe a blockage or an airlock?
When the loft tank is filling, make sure that its outlet pipe doesn't become exposed so it can gulp air in.

We I re-filled this afternoon from a full loft tank and all was fine - must have been a weird airlock or and a temp blockage. Thanks.